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Garda investigation into allegations of historic abuse against female footballers

Posted on by Dsen .N

Police have launched an investigation into a former football coach ahead of the broadcast of the latest RTÉ Investigates programme, which will reveal widespread allegations of inappropriate behaviour by women against Irish football coaches.

The Garda investigation was launched following allegations from female footballers that the coach had made unwanted sexual advances, while a separate complaint was also made about a second senior coach.

One player told reporters she was never picked again after she ran out of her manager’s hotel room when he tried to kiss her. Another believed she was “banished” from the team by her coach when she said she saw him behaving inappropriately towards players.

RTÉ Investigations partnered with the Sunday Independent on a joint investigation that gathered numerous testimonies from former players, coaches and officials, some of whom have never spoken about their experiences before.

Several players interviewed by investigative reporters said they thought they were alone in this and were shocked to discover their teammates had similar experiences.

RTÉ Investigates: Girls in Green will air next Sunday (7 July) on RTÉ One at 9:30pm and will be available to stream on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Investigates: Girls in Green will air next Sunday (7 July) on RTÉ One at 9:30pm and will be available to stream on RTÉ Player.

Articles detailing the investigation will be published over the weekend in RTÉ, the Sunday Independent and Indepenent.ie.

The Sunday Independent’s Mark Tighe teams up with RTÉ Sport presenter and reporter Marie Crowe, who he worked with on the same story in 2022, to take a closer look at the story together.

As part of their shocking investigation, the pair spoke to a number of former footballers.

The collaboration aims to investigate whether the lack of appropriate safeguards has encouraged an unhealthy relationship between coaching staff and players and to examine what measures the FAI has taken to provide a safe environment for young people.

It comes shortly after the FAI announced the introduction of a new, anonymous reporting mechanism that will allow players and others to report incidents of inappropriate conduct.

Sports Minister Catherine Martin said the allegations were “very shocking”. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

The Play It Right campaign will be rolled out in clubs across the country to promote good behaviour and create a confidential, independent helpline and website for anyone who wants to anonymously report serious issues.

In response to the upcoming documentary, the FAI said: “The Association was shocked and horrified to learn of the disturbing allegations of abuse made by women involved in Irish football in the 1990s.

“The FAI recognises the enormous courage of the women who have come forward with their concerns and would like to encourage all those involved in Irish football to report any concerns they may have.”

Sports Minister Catherine Martin said in a statement the allegations were “very shocking”.

“I have been assured that the FAI, as the national governing body for the sport, is engaging and co-operating with the Gardaí in their investigation into these allegations, taking an athlete-centred approach,” Ms Martin said.

The protection of children and young people in sport is absolute and any actions that endanger their well-being should not be tolerated.

“I appreciate the courage of the women who agreed to this.”

RTÉ Investigates: Girls in Green will air on Sunday 7 July at 9.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.